Former University of
Chester student’s artwork selected for exhibition.

A former University of Chester student’s artwork has been selected as
part of a new exhibition at Bowes Museum in County Durham.

Julie
Cassels, from South Manchester, who works at a studio based in Salford, has had
a piece of work she produced during her University of Chester AA2A residency
selected for the biennial New Light Prize Exhibition at the Museum.

New Light is a charity formed to promote and support artists in the
North of England. Its Prize Exhibition features artwork from 72 well-known and
emerging artists at different stages of their careers.

Julie’s work often has historical references and she is particularly
interested in the aesthetics of textiles and clothing. Her work is inspired by
the depiction of fabric in all art forms, throughout history, along with its
interpretation and relevance.

Julie’s exhibited artwork titled ‘The Way I See It #2 – After Andrew
Wyeth’ is from her ‘Seeing Differently’ body of work.Julie said:
“The ‘Seeing Differently’ series foregrounds drapery, in existing art, by
altering books, photographs and creating mixed media canvasses. The exhibited
canvas combines a sculpted, ‘low relief’ surface with a digitally printed
fabric image, to encapsulate my personal view of classical paintings, literally
‘The Way I See It’.”

She added: “It is a privilege to be part of this exhibition, showing
alongside great work from over 70 northern artists. The Bowes Museum is the
wonderful first, of four, venues, while the ‘New Light Art’ team have been
amazing, with their attention to every detail.”

Julie was
enrolled on the University’s Artists’ Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) scheme. The
AA2A scheme provides placements for practising visual artists and designers in
higher and further education institutions across England. It is an opportunity
for artists to use the institutions’ facilities for specific projects.